Wilkes Heritage Museum to present program by Jason Duncan on June 11

WILKESBORO — The Wilkes Heritage Museum is pleased to announce a special program by Research Specialist Jason Duncan entitled “Theaters of Wilkes” on Tuesday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. Join the museum for this hour-long program that celebrates their new exhibit on the movie theaters and drive-ins that have been part of history for more than a century. Duncan’s presentation will provide an in-depth look at photos, newspaper articles, and movie advertisements. Learn about when new theaters opened and about fires that led to the closing of others. The cost for this program is covered in admission to the Wilkes Heritage Museum; $7 for adults; $6 for students/seniors/military; members of the museum are free.

Duncan has a passion for genealogy, learning about history, and sharing it with others. Growing up, he would look at old family photos and want to know more about how they were related and what they were like. This led to research at the courthouse, visits to cemeteries, and meeting distant relatives to learn more about his ancestors. It is an interest that has continued to grow. In addition to his own genealogy, Jason helps others explore their family trees using both traditional research and DNA testing. While searching through old records, he has found a lot of interesting stories that he likes to share on his website (www.webjmd.com). Not only is the detective work a fun hobby, but sharing and collaborating with others who share an interest in history makes it even more rewarding.

Duncan grew up in Jonesville and now lives in Statesville. He has lots of ancestors who lived in Wilkes County. Duncan is the Research Specialist at the Wilkes Heritage Museum.

The Wilkes Heritage Museum is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Wilkesboro and is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rich history and heritage of Wilkes County for future generations through exhibits and special programs. All donations go towards the operational expenses for the organization. Museum hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, please call (336) 667-3171, visit Facebook @Wmuseum, or contact Jason at researchwhm@gmail.com.